Which practice is essential for effective hand hygiene?

Washing hands for at least 20 seconds is essential for effective hand hygiene because this duration has been shown to significantly reduce the presence of pathogens on the hands. The process of scrubbing for this length of time helps to loosen and remove dirt, viruses, and bacteria from all surfaces of the hands, including areas often missed such as between fingers and under fingernails.

Handwashing with soap and water, performed for at least 20 seconds, is particularly effective in removing germs that may be present after using the restroom, before preparing or consuming food, and after coughing or sneezing. This guideline is supported by health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which emphasize that thorough handwashing is one of the most important steps in preventing the spread of infections.

While alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be effective when soap and water aren’t available, they do not eliminate all types of germs and are not as effective on visibly dirty or greasy hands. Wearing gloves does not replace the need for hand hygiene, as gloves can become contaminated and should not be used as a substitute for handwashing. Additionally, while antibacterial soap can be effective, regular soap is generally sufficient for handwashing and does not need to be used exclusively for effective